The New York Yankees are dealing with a surplus of query marks this offseason, however no uncertainty is extra consequential than the infield. In its present situation, the Yankee infield seems incomplete. On the corners, Ben Rice and Ryan McMahon pack energy towards righties, however battle to hit towards southpaws. At shortstop, Anthony Volpe, who will miss Opening Day after present process shoulder surgical procedure, and Jose Caballero each posted replacement-level numbers final season. The identical will be stated of catcher Austin Wells.
If the Yankees are going to successfully construct an offense round Aaron Choose and, ideally, keep away from a postseason pounding just like the final one, the batting order might want to change drastically. Nevertheless, proprietor Hal Steinbrenner’s aim to drop the annual wage under $300 million complicates issues. This vastly limits what normal supervisor Brian Cashman can do.
Nonetheless, the Yankees have at the very least talked to Kyle Tucker. If they will make a splash this offseason, New York might want to get artistic. With money constraints in thoughts, listed here are three cheap infielders the Yankees ought to take into account.
1B/2B/3B Track Sung-mun
On Friday, information surfaced that Sung-mun, who possesses a skillset very like Hyeseong Kim’s, is being posted by the Kiwoom Heroes of South Korea’s KBO. This previous season, he was voted finest hitter within the KBO, hitting .315/.387/.530 with 26 residence runs. His velocity additionally performed a task for the Heroes, nabbing 25 bases in 27 makes an attempt. This comes after a season the place he stole 21 bases in as many makes an attempt.
Sung-mun rose to prominence final yr, when he hit for a batting common of .340, a stat that ought to have the Yankees’ consideration. And together with his left-handed bat in Yankee Stadium, he might have stunning energy, although this can rely upon how he adjusts to Main League pitching. He’ll probably signal a contract within the vary of Kim’s three-year, $12.5 million deal.
2B/3B/OF Brendan Donovan
Donovan won’t be the power-hitting lefty Yankee followers dream of, however he’s a Swiss Military Knife in almost each different side. At the moment with the St. Louis Cardinals, Donovan has been a flexible, one-time Gold Glove utilityman. On the plate, he’s a high-contact hitter, not often whiffing or placing out, a skillset that might work to offset the Yankees’ present bat-to-ball downside.
Final season, Donovan hit .287/.353/.422 with 10 residence runs. If the Yankees have been to commerce for him, he would probably spend most of his time at second base, transferring Jazz Chisholm Jr. to shortstop. He’s estimated to earn $5.75 million in arbitration subsequent yr, in keeping with Spotrac.
1B/3B Kazuma Okamoto
With contract estimates reaching above $60 million for 4 years, the just lately posted Okamoto will undoubtedly be the costliest participant on this checklist. Nevertheless, he comes with transformative potential that makes this price ticket a compelling discount. Okamoto led Japan’s NPB in residence runs thrice and gained a complete of three Golden Gloves at each corners of the infield, providing energy potential and defensive stability.
Final season, Okamoto hit .327/.417/.598 (1.014 OPS) with 15 residence runs throughout an injury-shortened season with the Yomiuri Giants. For the Yankees, Okamoto might platoon with Rice at first and McMahon at third – if he doesn’t win a beginning job. Given his capability to hit for contact and energy, there’s an outsized likelihood he’ll turn out to be an on a regular basis participant.
